Returning from a brief hiatus following their 2023 debut LP, ‘Sunset Sea Breeze’ (Meritorio Records), the now-expanded Bay Area quartet, Whitney’s Playland, delivers a compelling statement with the three-song 7” EP, ‘Long Rehearsal.’ The EP is a joint-release via Dandy Boy Records (Oakland) and Meritorio Records (Madrid), that not only recalls the band’s distinctive style but marks a confident divergence from their earlier bedroom-pop origins, showcasing the full four-piece lineup for the first time on record.
The EP successfully bridges the divide between bright jangle-pop and gritty ’90s alt-rock, creating a richer, fuller sonic tapestry than their debut. While retaining a vital connection to their lo-fi roots, the production is notably more polished, allowing for an abundance of guitars and layered arrangements to shine. Anchoring the emotional weight is Inna Showalter’s delicate and melancholic vocal delivery, which lends a sweet, yet wistful, quality to the introspective lyrics that explore themes of alienation and trustworthiness.
Each of the three tracks possesses a distinct identity. The title track, “Long Rehearsal,” is an excellent opening, immediately setting the tone with wistful guitar and highly catchy hooks, embodying the fusion of Anglophile ’80s jangle and the ear-tingling upper midranges reminiscent of bands like Chime School. The track is lyrically framed around a relationship revitalized by the passage of time.
Photo courtesy of Dandy Boy Records
In contrast, “Only Daughter” is a crunchier, power-pop track; a fuzzy ode to eccentric neighbors that manages to blend harmonic crunch with velvet swoons and a playful hint of girl group bounce. The EP concludes with the moody B-side, “Talk,” and it’s one of the band’s most layered tracks yet starting with a jangly, melodic atmosphere that builds into a slow-burning exploration of wrestling emotional control from one’s own mind and voice.
Recorded across the band members’ home studios in San Francisco, El Cerrito, and Santa Rosa, ‘Long Rehearsal’ is a nice entry point for new listeners and a significant step forward for the band, demonstrating that their expansion to a quartet allows for more diversity and a potent, cohesive pop punch. It confirms this new era for Whitney’s Playland holds promise for what comes next.
To have a listen or to purchase, please visit Bandcamp or Dandy Boy Records and support independent music.
